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No. 625 097. Patented May l6, I899.

J. EDWARDS.

SWIVEL DRAWBBIDGE.

(Application filed Jan. 9, 1899.)

(No Model.) a Sheots$heat Hll WITNESSES: m ENTOH m: NORRIS PEIEHS co FHOTIO-LITHO. msumsmu. u. c.

No. 625,097. Patented May l6, I899.

J. EDWARDS.

SWIVEL DBAWBRlDGE.

(Application filed Jan. 9, 1699.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2..

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mm Will/I7 WITNESSES ATTORNEY.

Patented May l6, I899.

J. EDWARDS. SWIVEL QDRAWBRIDGE.

(Application filed Jan. 9, 1899.)

a Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

W/ TN E SSE S A TTOHNE 1",

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I especially of the heavy class, the ends of which in Swivel-Drawbridges, of which the follow- ,the device for bringing the draw into exact NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. I

J OSEP H EDWARDS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SWIVEL -DRAWBR IDG E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 625,097, dated May 16, 1899.

Application filed January 9, 1899.

To an whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J OSEPH EDWARDS, a citizen of the United States, residing in the borough of Brooklyn, city and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements ing is a specification.

My invention relates to swivel-drawbridges will unavoidably more or less sag and heavily rest on the fixed spans thereof, and therefore when the bridge is to be drawn itfirst must be liberated from the resultant pressure between the draw and the fixed spans, but when it is to be closed the draw must first be swung into exact longitudinal alinement with the fixed spans and then raised to and supported in vertical alinement therewith. Besides, the aprons of such bridges which cover the spaces between the ends of the draw and the fixed spans must not interrupt the swinging of the bridge and must automatically take their alined position with it when it is closed. To accomplish these results is the object of my invention, which I successfully attain by the extremely simple mechanism illustrated by the accompanying drawin gs,consistin g of four sheets, in which- Figure 1 represents alongitudinal elevation of a swivel-drawbridge supported by a central pier and on which it is rotated; but for want of space my improvements are not indicated in this figure of the drawings, but are clearly shown in the enlarged views of the several parts embracing my specific devices; Fig. 2, an enlarged View of a vertical section of one of the fixed spans as seen when relieved of the draw-span and showing the position of one of the aprons when the bridge is being drawn; Fig. 3, an enlarged view of a vertical section of one end of the draw when liberated from the fixed span; Fig. 4, an enlarged view of a vertical section of one of the fixed spans and one end of the draw-span, showing the bridge in alinement with the fixed span and the apron in working position; Fig. 5, an enlarged partial plan view of one of the fixed spans and one end of the draw-span with the draw somewhat out of alinement to show alinement; Fig. 6, an enlarged partial plan view of one of the fixed spans and one end $erial No. 701,664. (No model.)

'fected.

Similar numerals and letters of designation refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The numeral 1 represents one of the aprons which cover the space between the fixed span and the drawspan, which is secured at its fixed edge to the fixed span by a hinge-joint 2.

3 is a stop which arrests the fall of the free edge of the apron when it ceases to be supported by the drawthat is, when the ends of the draw A are allowed to sag and to become free from pressure on the fixed span. 4 is a bracket on which rests the said stop; 5, a bracket secured to the end of the drawspan A, on which the free edge of the apron rests and is supported when the ends of the draw are raised and rest on their bearings.

Figs. 2 and 3 show the relative position of the fixed span B, apron 1, and draw A when the ends of the draw are allowed to sag preparatory to turning the bridge on its swivel or central support, and Fig. 4 shows the rela-' do I limit in yselfto placing the apron-stop on the fixed span, as it can be secured to the under side of the apron itself and arranged in various ways to rest against the end of the fixed span to prevent the apron from falling when not supported by the draw-span. Neither do I limit myself to any special form of bracket or other device for engaging and holding the free edge of the apron in alinement with the draw-span, as by thinning its outer edge the apron may lap over and rest on the draw itself or on any kind of projec tion extending out from the draw-span in whatever way provided.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, B represents the fixed span, and A the draw-span, the division between them being indicated by b b; 20, a cylinder; 21, a piston-rod; 22, a slideway; 23, a sliding head; 24, a protruding centering-bar extending from and being a part of the sliding head 23; 25,an antifriction-roller mounted in the forward end of the said centering-bar;

26, a flaring right-angle centering-socket to receive the said centering-bar, on the inner vertical sides of which the antifriction-roller impinges and rotates. This centering-bar is operatedthatis, thrust forward into the said socket and withdrawn therefronv-as occasion requires by preferably hydraulic pressure in the cylinder 20; but steam or compressed air may be employed, or any suitable ordinary mechanism may be applied for this purpose. Hence I do not limit myself to any particular means of operating the said centering-bar. The function and operation of this centering device will be hereinafter explained.

Having pointed out the various parts of my device for accomplishing the twofold purpose of my invention, I will now explain the operation of my improvements.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 6, it will be seen that the bridge is in alinementthat is, by Fig. 4 that the apron 1 is resting on the drawspan and by Fig. 6 that the centeringbaris central with its receiving-socket, and the bridge therefore is in position for travel. The centering-bar, I will here state, is always withdrawn from its receivingsocket immediately after the ends of the draw have been raised and rested on the fixed span, as preparatory to the drawing of the bridge when next required to be opened. When the bridge is to be opened, the ends thereof are liberated from pressure on the fixed spans by removing whatever chocks may be employed to sustain them, whereupon they will sag down, and the aprons will accordingly drop until they are caught by and rest on their respective stops 3, and the bridge thus made ready to be swung open. When the bridge is to be closed, it is first swung within approximate alinement with the fixed spansthat is, Within the scope of the receiving-sockets 26. Then pressure is applied in the cylinders 20, which forces the centering-bars into the central position or necksof the said sockets, and thus is perfected the centralization or alinement of the bridge. The ends of the draw are now again raised and held by such means as are employed for this purpose, whereby the aprons will be raised and held in alinement by the brackets 5. The centering-bars are now again withdrawn from their respective sockets preparatory, as above stated, to the next opening of the draw.

What I claim as new and useful, and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is

1. In a swivel-drawbridge the flaring receiving-sockets 26 mounted on the fixed spans of the bridge and the centering-bars 24 mounted on the draw-spans of the bridge the said centering-bars being operated by hydraulic pressure orother ordinary mechanical means; whereby the thrusting of the said centeringbars into the said sockets will throw the draw of the bridge into exact alinement with the fixed spans thereof, as and for the purpose described.

2. in a swivel-drawbridge the flaring receiving-sockets 26 mounted on the fixed spans of the bridge and the centering-bars 24, having in the forward ends thereof the antifriction-roller, mounted on the draw-span of the bridge, the said centering-bars being operated by hydraulic pressure or other ordinary means, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a swivel-drawbridge, a flaring receiving-socket mounted on the fixed span and a centering-bar mounted on the draw-span, the centering-bar being actuated by any ordinary mechanical means to thrust it into the receivin -socket, whereby the said draw-span will be thrown into alinement with the said fixed span.

4. In a swivel-drawbridge, a flaring receiving-socket mounted on the fixed span and a centering-bar, having an antifriction-roller in its foremost end,mouuted on the draw-span, the centering-bar being actuated by any or dinary mechanical means to thrust it into the receiving-socket,whereby the said draw-span will be thrown into alinement with the fixed span.

5. In a swivel-drawbridge the apron-stops 3 having their support on suitable brackets 4 attached, to the fixed spans of the bridge in combination with the brackets 5 attached to the draw-spans, whereby the aprons will be held and prevented from falling out of an approximately horizontal position when the bridge is'being drawn and will again be raised and held in their normal horizontal position by the brackets 5 on the draw-span when the ends of the draw are elevated'in the act of closing the bridge, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. Ina structure consisting of a rotating part and a stationary part, a flaring receivingsocket mounted on the stationary part and a centering-bar mounted on the rotating part, the said centering-bar being actuated by any ordinary mechanical means to thrust it into the receiving-socket, whereby the rotating part will be thrown into required fixed alinement with the stationary part.

7. In a swivel-drawbridge an apron having one edge thereof flexibly attached to the fixed span and its other edge resting on supports projecting from the draw-span, whereby the space between the said spans is covered by the apron when the said spans are in alinement.

8. In a swivel-drawbridge, an apron having one edge thereof flexibly attached to the fixed span, and the apron having its vertical support when the bridge is drawn on stops arranged in any ordinary way to arrest its fall below an approximate level with the drawspan when the bridge is being drawn.

JOSEPH EDWARDS.

Witnesses:

F. R. JOHNSON, M. J OHNSON. 

